About Book Marks
Recent Reviews
Sarah Wilson
Positive Booklist ... addresses the disconnect and \'itch\' many people might currently be feeling. Her thought-provoking call to action shines light on the personal fog and spiritual trauma experienced while living with consumerism, climate change, COVID-19, social injustice, and collective anxiety. She both looks at how we got here and explains what we can do about it, using joyful practices and some serious changes ... This almost reads like three books—one on the need for meaningful connection within ourselves, another about her personal hikes and worldwide journeys, and a third detailing her personal experiences with loss—and a blog on activism all put together. The writing can flag at times, but nonetheless, this book is inspiring.
Nancy Jooyoun Kim
Rave Booklist In Kim’s haunting and heartbreaking debut, troubled threads between a mother and daughter blend together in a delicate and rich weave ... With both sadness and beauty, she describes grief, regret, loss, and the feeling of being left behind. Fans of Amy Tan and Kristin Hannah will love Kim’s brilliant debut.
Molly Wizenberg
Rave Booklist This is a spirited, terrifyingly courageous, and searingly honest memoir of discovering sexual identity and strength.
Jessica Pearce Rotondi
Rave Booklist In her powerful, heartbreaking, and gut-wrenching first book, Rotondi explains how in 2009, after her mother’s death, she found boxes of files, newspaper clippings, and declassified CIA reports regarding her Uncle Jack and the family’s search for him ... Ultimately, Rotondi shares letters that lead her and her best friend across Asia to continue the search her family began 30 years earlier.
Mary Adkins
Positive Booklist ... gripping ... Adkins allows readers to take in all sides and perspectives, provoking much thought, and explores the university’s failure to protect students from privilege of many forms.
Ariana Neumann
Rave Booklist ... profound, gripping, and gut-wrenching ... Letters from [Neuman\'s] grandparents, who were transported to Theresienstadt and in their faith and optimism remained steadfastly strong for their family, are especially powerful. Neumann describes scenes of Bubny Station, Kristallnacht, and life in the concentration camps with utterly painstaking detail, placing readers there. She learns about the past her father kept hidden from her throughout his lifetime. This heartbreaking and unforgettable memoir belongs in every library for the important history Neumann unearths. Like Anne Frank’s diary, it offers a story that needs to be told and heard.
Cassie Chambers
Positive Booklist In this poignant, fascinating, and heartwarming memoir, Chambers pays tribute to her granny, mother, and aunt, the \'Hill Women\' whose strength and passion propelled Chambers to earn two Ivy League degrees ... with Chambers’ focus on the three women who deeply affected her, it is little wonder she’s returned to Kentucky as an adult to provide free legal services and to help women like them.
Jessica McDiarmid
Positive Booklist McDiarmid’s touching, poignant account intricately details the backgrounds of many of the victims, and their families and loved ones. She deftly explains the continuous circle of blatant racism, depression, hopelessness, poverty, and addiction faced by the women, brought on by lack of opportunity and, frankly, by lack of care from the government ... McDiarmid also shares stories of those fighting for justice. A powerful must-read.
Allison Moorer
Rave Booklist Moorer’s memoir is full of backstory—memories, current notes and thoughts, and well-described metaphors that come together fluidly, all told with grit and lyrical prose. Moorer’s thoughtful, introspective reflections are painted with an artist’s brush. Her writing is beautiful and gripping and will stop readers in their tracks ... Memoir lovers will find this a must-read.